A Rafale fighter aircraft has successfully launched the MBDA-developed MICA NG missile during its second developmental firing trial, marking the first time the weapon has been tested in a supersonic flight environment. The test was conducted at the Mediterranean range of the French DGA Missile Testing Centre with participation from MBDA, Dassault Aviation, the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), and the French Air and Space Force.
The trial focused on assessing the missile’s infrared seeker performance under the challenging thermal conditions created when the Rafale operates at speeds exceeding Mach 1. Such conditions reduce the thermal contrast between a target and its surroundings, making target detection and tracking more difficult. Despite these challenges, the test successfully validated the infrared seeker’s effectiveness, representing a significant milestone in the missile’s qualification and integration process for the Rafale fleet.
The firing follows the MICA NG’s first developmental launch conducted in June 2025. As the next-generation member of MBDA’s all-weather MICA missile family, the MICA NG retains the dimensions of the current variant, measuring 3.1 meters in length, 160 millimeters in diameter, and weighing 112 kilograms. The missile is available with either an active electronically scanned array (AESA) RF seeker or a passive imaging infrared seeker, both designed for interoperability.
Designed for both beyond-visual-range and close-combat engagements, the MICA NG delivers significantly enhanced performance, including a range increase of up to 40 percent compared to its predecessor. MBDA states that the missile can engage a broad spectrum of threats, including aircraft, helicopters, drones, stealth fighters, and highly maneuverable cruise missiles with low infrared and radar signatures.
